"Waiting times at Raigmore Hospital (Gynaecology)"

I was first referred by my GP in late June 2012 to Raigmore with an abdominal mass and pain. I was subsequently diagnosed with a pedunculated uterine fibroid.

First scan was July 2012 yet I was only treated for my condition via uterine artery embolisation in February 2013 (!) which to my knowledge far exceeds the government treatment time guarantees.

I have essentially been housebound/off work/working reduced hours from home since the end of last July, yet my treatment was carried out with one overnight hospital stay and a couple of weeks recovery!

Responses

Response from
Maimie Thompson, Head of Public Relations and Engagement, Chief Executive's Office, NHS Highland 3 years ago

Dear ILynn

Thank for your posting which I read this morning and have been reflecting on. This has clearly not been a good experience for you and for that I am very sorry.

But I am not sure that it helps you much and may feel like its come from a faceless member of staff tapping out a rehearsed stock platitude. It's actually heartfelt and comes with a genuine offer to understand what has happened here.

On the information in front of me its not possible for me to pick out where the delays were and why. Having said that sometimes we lapse into giving detailed explanations (all of which will be accurate) but it may be not be what you are looking for and wont make you feel better.

So if there is something I can do to help then I will be guided by you. This is about whether we can do anything that help you - not make our PR look better.

If there isn't then I hope, at least, having a voice through Patient Opinion has been cathartic. I am glad you are on the road to recovery.

Thanks for the quick reply- I will email you details with dates and appointments, so you can see where the delays or issues are. I posted this in the hope that someone would pick this up and look into it to avoid this happening to others in the future.